THE g/. , 



ISLET'S SPIRIT: 



A DRAMA, 



m FOUR ACTS AND FIVE SCENES. 



By WALTER F. AUSTIN 



Time— 1711 to 1718. 

Place — Scotland^ and a Bahama Islet. 



PITTSBURGH: 

PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR 
18 7 7. 

\^All Rights Reserved.] 



THE 



) 



ISLETS SPIRIT 



A DRAMA, 



IN FOUR ACTS AND FIVE SCENES. 



By AVALTER F. AUSTIN. 



TiME-1711 to 1718. 

Place — Scotland, and a Bahama hid. 




PITTSBURGH: 

PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR 

1877. 
[All Rights Eeserved.] 

7r 



ts^^5 



<\3 

CHARACTERS. 

Captain James Brand, of Schooner Centipede. 

Rev. Jonah Hulks, Brand's Chaplain, an expelled member of Scottish kirk 

Dr. Edward Calvert, Surgeon of Centipede. 

Don Rodrigo, a Cuban receiver. 

Mr. William Gibbs, First Mate Centipede. 

Harry Gasket, Lt. H. M. Ship Caltrop. 

Harrington, First Mate Centipede, vice Gibbs, resigned. 

Spanish Jack, Second Mate Centipede. 

Pirate. 

English Seamen. 

Amelia Seymour, Spirit of the Isle. 
Mrs. Seymour, Amelia's Mother. 
Esther Dalton. 
Babette, Brand's black Servant. 



DRESS. 



Capt. Brand — ist Act, Gentlemen's costume of period; plain. 2d Act, 
extravagantly and elegantly dressed in costume of the period. 4th Act, 
sailor costume. 

Rev. Jonah Hulks. — Clerical habit, drunken appearance. 

Dr. Calvert. — Plain dress of time. 

Don Rodrigo. — Spanish dress of period, plain; green shade over one eye; 
expression villianous. 

Mr. Gibbs. — Disordered, highly colored sailor costume; heavy beard. 

Harry Gasket. — Plain officer's uniform of period. 

Harrington. — Sailor's costume. 

Spanish Jack. — " " 

Pirate. — " " 

English seamen. — " " 

Amelia Seymour — ist Act, plain Scottish costume of period. 3d and 4th 
Acts, hair down, eccentric dress. 

Mrs. SeyxMOUR. — Plain Scottish dress of period. 

Esther Dalton. — Plain dress of period. 

Babette, (colored). — Red Handkerchief around her head; style of dress 
servant's costume, plain. 



TMP92-008576 



THE ISLET'S SPIRIT. 



ACT I. 



Scene. — Sitting-room in Mrs. Set/mour's house, in Scotland. MRS. SEY- 
MOUR and AMELIA seated at a table, sewing. 

Mrs. Seymour. — Daughter, you are love-blind. He is a bad 
and dangerous man, and even now it is whispered guilty of serious 
crimes. He hath neglected the duties of the kirk, and made his 
associates among the vicious and the wicked, and sneers at religion. 
From boyhood he has been cruel and abusive ; and I now say for 
the last time that with my consent you will never be the wife of 
James Brand ! 

Amelia, (appealingly). — Nay, dear mother, consider. If you do 
not now think it your duty, take time to reflect over a matter of 
such moment to me. Think how much my happiness depends on 
it. Nay, by such a declaration do you not place a life-time bar 
between your only daughter and happiness? for without him, I 
am by you, mother, kind, atfectionate and indulgent in all things 
else, condemned to a life-time of sorrow. 

Mrs. S. — Daughter, daughter, can it be possible that you are 
so infatuated and blind to the tailing? of a man of such bad reputa- 
tion ? 

Amelia, {quickly). — They slander him; he is good, and so love- 
able. Eemember, also, he was Robert's friend. 

Mrs. S. — And I am sorry for it. It reconciled me to my boy 
going to America, else I could not have parted with him. 

Amelia. — Mother, you might be mistaken ; you certainly are 
prejudiced. You say his reputation is not good. Point to a single 
act of his that is really bad. 

Mrs. S. — A clergyman's son, reared with all the benefits of the 
Christian example of his good father and pious mother, he neglects 
the services. He spends his time not in frugal pursuits but in 
extravagance. Well educated, he shuns the learned. He has im- 
poverished his father and broken a loving mother's heart ; and 
think, imagine a heart so vicious and cruel as to starve, out of 
sheer wantonness, his faithful dog ! 

Amelia. — He has explained that. The dog was sick, and fast- 
ing was necessary to cure. He wept when he told m» of it. His 



extravagance comes from liis generosity of soul, and time will cure 
it. And then, dearest mother, consider his intellect, his handsome 
bearing and amiable ways. I love him ; I can never do else than 
love him ! {Weeps). 

Mrs. S. — Poor, foolish girl ! You say he is coming this even- 
ing ; let it be his last visit to this roof. 

Mrs. Seymour retires, leaving Ainelia iveeping. 

Amelia, {loq.)—Yes, we must part till his reputation is vindi- 
cated from these slanders that have poisoned mother's mind, 
( pulls half sixpence on string from her breast and kisses it) , but 
I'll be true to him even though we are never to meet again. 

[Knock at door, which quickly opens. Enter BRAND, looking cautiously 
around, inhiirried vianner.'\ 

Brand. — Dearest Amelia, {sees half sixpence and hisses it; then 
kisses Amelia), I have but a moment to stay; I am the victim of 
my own rash generosity, and I have come to say good-bye. Pay 
heed ; I am suspected of a robbery on the highway last night, 
and to save a friend, the perpetrator of the deed ; to save his life 
and reputation, I risk my own life and sacrifice my good name; I 
must fly the country ! 

Amelia. — Oh, James, do not kill me ! Stay and vindicate your- 
self for my sake. Noble and generous as such a sacrifice is, a rob- 
ber and thief is unworthy of it. 

Brand. — I must; I have promised, and would die rather than 
break my word. He is worthy. His children cried for the bread 
he could not give. His wife was wasting away for the mere neces- 
saries of life, and in desperation he committed the crime. Now, 
remember, dearest girl, {embraces her), I am innocent — in Heaven's 
name, I am innocent — by our love, holier in its purity than angel's 
loves, I am innocent! Do you believe? P^emember the circum- 
stances point to me. 

Amelia. — Believe you, James; I know you are innocent, and 
nothing could change my belief in it. 

Brand. — The separation will only be temporary, and you shall 
hear from me. But I must hasten. {Pulls out half sixjxnce). Kiss 
it; kiss me, and it lies next my heart till you become my wife. 

Am. — Oh, Father in Heaven, help me to part with him and pro- 
tect him ! I cannot ! no, I cannot ! {Faints in his ar7ns). 

Br. — Well, this is a disagreeable circumstance ! Just as I had 
her worked up to the point to negotiate a loan for my necessities ! 
Amelia, dear Amelia! {Seats heron chair). If I aid the girl, I 
will be detained and in danger. Amelia ! dearest, waken ! Brand, 
ray boy, your usual luck ! time is pressing. Her capacity for be- 
lief in the improbable is wonderful. 

Exit hurriedly. 

lA period of seven years is supposed to elapse between \st and 2d Act.l 



ACT II. 

Scene.— r^e sitting room in Captain Brand's House, on a Bahama Islet. 
Room, with furniture and fixtures ofvariotis designs] table with decanters and 
bottles. CAPTAIN BRAND, elegantly attired, and REV. HULKS seated at 
the table. DR. CALVERT standing. 

Dr., (loq). — Well, this is certainly a most mysterious disappear-' 
ance. Every nook and cavern searched, and not a trace of her. 
Escape from the Isle is impossible, and whither could she go? 
The windows and doors barred and guarded, and yet escaped ! But 
to what and to where ? No, no ; another victim of this human 
devil's work. Death in the wave before dishonor. And this spirit 
or ghost of Brand's dead wife, so frequently seen by the men, who 
was seen with her in the room ! Kidiculous as the superstition 
seems, I half believe it myself. Gibbs, courageous to desperation 
usually, saw the spirit, and in his mad effort to escape, falls at the 
expense of a broken leg and rib, it 

Br. — Come, come, my dear Doctor! how can you be homesick 
in such company? Come, be sociable; I would wager that 3^ou 
are thinking of some absent fair one ; come, a glass of wine. 

Hulks. — Yes, Doctor, profit by my example ; a little for the 
stomach's sake. As your spiritual adviser, I'll absolve you if you 
take a drop too much. Wine {filling his glass and drinking) is 
plainly permitted by the Holy Scriptures, both by precept and ex- 
ample, as I have oft-times contended in the Presbytery. {Dr. seats 
himself.) 

Br., {filling Drs. glass). — You may rely on my Bev. Other's in- 
structions. Dr. He is thoroughly orthodox, else he never would 
have been my ghostly adviser. I was reared with all the advan- 
tages of a Christian education, and I examined my Rev. father 
closely on the Confession of Faith and Catechism, and I assure you, 
my dear Doctor, that you may rely on any instruction he may o^ive 
you. {Laughs). 

Dr., {sarcastically). — No doubt my spiritual interests would be 
safe in his hands. {Drinks). I understand you to say, Captain, 
that no clue has been found to your fair prisoner. 

Br. — Dr., Dr., my prisoner! my enslaver, you mean. Correc- 
tions are always in order. No; nothing. The guard at the win- 
dow saw the Spirit or Ghost of the Islet, tlew to Gibbs whose vision 
aided by an extra glass of rum saw it also, and fled, providentially 
breaking a leg and rib, (I could have survived it if it had been his 
neck), and nothing has been seen of either the ghost or the fair 
Esther since. I am afraid — it makes me sad to think of it — that 
mourning over her sins turned her head, and that she became a 
suicide. What said she, dear father, when you saw her last — with 
reference to me, for instance. 



6 

Hulks. — My son, it was not complimentary to you. I proposed 
marriage for you; depicted your miserable condition (smiles) with- 
out her love, and she very determinedly rejected, and with foolish 
intemperance (drinks) of speech peculiar to her sex, desired me, 
t3rrible thought! to kill her, and if I was a Cliristian, to send word 
of her death to Harry. 

Br. — Father, please don't make me jealous. Harry ! what 
Harry? 

Hulks. — Harry Gasket, an ofScer in the English navy, I think 
she said. Her escape or lunacy I'll venture to assert arose proba- 
bly from an imagined sight of the Islet Spirit. I wish we could 
rid our people of that delusion ; it interferes very materially with 
the religious instruction of the crew — foolish superstition! 

Br., (smiliyig). — Yes, foolish superstition. To think that my 
lamented Amelia, after lacerating my feelings and wrecking my 
nervous system by plunging under my very eye, over the cliff into 
the sea, would, with that contradictory woman spirit, return in 
this way to torment us. So unfortunate that it happened, as I 
sincerely loved Amelia, my old Scottish sweet-heart, the sister of 
my bosom friend, llobert Seymour. Dr., I suppose you have heard 
of the unfortunate affair? 

Dr. — Not fully; merely that you married the lady after the 
capture of the ship on which she and her mother were passengers, 
and that in a few days after the ceremony she became insane, and 
that after landing here she escaped from Babette, and in your sight 
sprang over the cliff and was drowned, (sadly), Only that. 

Br., (malic iously). — Nearly correct, Dr. You omitted to men- 
tion the unimportant fact that the night of the wedding my es- 
teemed mother-in-law was drowned. But, ah! those five delicious 
days ! Dear father, had I no other cause to bless the day we met, 
that night, entrancing, rapturous night! when by the holy cere- 
mony of marriage you gave Amelia to my arms, were ample to 
ma,ke you remembered in my prayers for an eternity. Oh, rec- 
ollection of delightful wanton hours do not overcome me! Those 
few blissful days, when, in the innocence of our love, we lived only 
for each other ! On the even ing of the fifth day — unhappy hour ! — 
I went on deck with my bride lovingly clinging to my arm, with 
her head touching my shoulder, to gaze, Dr., upon the most beauti- 
ful sunset I ever witnessed; and whilst drinking in its beauties 
she looked aloft, and catching sight of the skull and crossbones in 
their setting of jet, fainted, and awoke a maniac. So sad ! so sad ! 

Hulks. — Very ; I never felt so depressed in my life. Just as 
matters were progressing so splendidly! Women are such ec- 
centric creatures. 

Dr., (dryly).— Very eccentric. Peculiar whim, to allow so slight 
a circumstance to unsettle the reason. 



Br., {drinking.) — It was my first marriage, too, by a regularly 
ordained clergyman. Prior to my father's engagement, my late 
first mate was usually improvised for matrimonial exigencies, but 
so blunderingly did he perform the sacred functions on one occasion 
that the recollection of it drove him to suicide. He carefully tied 
himself up in a sack and sprang overboard. 

Dr. — You seem to have been as unfortunate with your officers 
as your wives, Captain. 

Br. — Very unfortunate — very. Almost constantly a widower, 
and continually changing mates. But it is one of the drawbacks 
of the profession, and I suppose I'll have to put up with it. Look 
at Gibbs, for instance — made my confidant — showered favors upon 
him — promoted him from before the mast to be first mate — runs 
from a shadow. By the way, Doctor, how is Mr. Gibbs doing? 
Mending, I hope; and father, what report have you to make of his 
spiritual condition ? 

Dr. — Captain Brand, wounded men chained in underground ■ 
dungeons, fed on putrid bread, do not usually mend. Gibbs is 
not mending, and unless you allow me for humanity's sake to fur- 
nish him other quarters and treatment he will soon be the under- 
taker's and not the surgeon's subject. 

Br. — Fie, fie, Doctor! such a ghastly joke; it grates upon my 
nerves. 

Hulks. — Yes, the undertaker's profits begin where the doctor's 
terminate. [Laughs). 

Br. — But, seriously, Doctor; I must enforce discipline, much as 
I dislike it. You would very much oblige me in future by not mak- 
ing such requests. Their discussion might lead to an estrange- 
ment between us, (to be deplored), and be followed by disagreeable 
consequences. 

Dr., (aside). — Disagreeable consequences — the fiend; the bullet 
or the rope. (Aloud). Captain Brand, I hope you will excuse 
my again mentioning the matter of my discharge. I agreed, with- 
out knowing the service, to serve you one year. That period 
elapsed more than a month ago, and I again ask you to consider 
me released. 

Br. — My dear Doctor, why do you press this matter? How 
can I part with you, now we are adapted to each other's ways? 
Beside, think of my poor sick men. How can you leave them? 
Doctor, I sometimes have thought (pray, pardon me, if I wrong 
you), that you entertain a dislike to me. If I have ever offended 
you, pray forgive me ; now, won't you? 

Dr. — I only speak of the matter in its business light. Captain. 
I engaged for a certain period-; I decline extending it. 

Br. — Well, Doctor, I propose for another year. Think over it 
to-night, and in the morning'we will take a walk to see the sun rise, 



at the cliff', and then if determined to leave good company, I will 
have to release you. {Taming io Hulks). And now, dear father, 
what have you to report from your erring member Gibbs ? Is he 
still unrepentant, and does he still stubbornly refuse to partake of 
holy things ? 

Hulks. — Still unrepentant, my son, and obdurate. He's the 
most disagreeable sinner I ever had the honor to handle. Instead 
of Heaven's peace and the narrow path, he desires only life enough 
to tear out your eyes, and to have his fingers on your throat ; and, 
worse — far worse — he reviled my holy office and wished that I 
might roast in 

Br., [holding ujo his hands). — Don't repeat his blasphemy. Ob- 
durate wretch ! I must reason with him on his conduct. Reviled 
you, my faiher ! Horrible ! 

Dr., (rising). — Gentlemen, I have my visits to make ; pray ex- 
cuse me. I will see you as arranged -in the morning. 

Retires. 
Enter BABETTE, courtest/ing. , 

Br. — What now, good Babette? Have you seen the ghost 
again, you superstitious old hag? 

Babette. — Don Eodrigo has come, and must see you particular. 
Br. — Show him up, Babette ; show him in. 

Sxit Babette, 
Br. — Eodrigo, eh ! what's the old villian after now ? He would 
realize well as a ghost, eh ! father. 

Enter RODRIGO. BRAND and HULKS greet 1dm heartily. 

Br. — My dear Eodrigo, we're delighted to see you. How's 
Senora? and what favoring breeze of heaven wafts you here? 
Only a friendly call, I know, as I have not sailed since your last 
visit. 

P\,OD. — Only a friendly call, Captain, as you shall find. 

Br. — Mayhap your tender conscience pricks you for the hard 
bargain you drove with me. 

EoD. — Nay, Captain ; 'tis you that drives hard bargains. I've 
impoverished myself buying your plun merchandise at ex- 
travagant prices, to say nought of the risk.. 

Hulks. — Here, my son, don't be so inhospitable; pass the wine. 

Br. — Eight, father ; here Don, try some of my own importation. 
(Hulks and Brand laugh). 

They seat themselves. RODRIGO drinks. 

PbOD. — Captain Brand, I bear bad news. England has signed 
an alliance with France and Holland against Spain. They are 
afraid of good Cardinal Alberoni, (whom may the Virgin and Saints 
protect'!) and an English fleet is even now in these waters. 

Br., (broiv clouding). — That is truly bad news. 



9 

Rod. — On receipt of this information I immediately sailed from 
Havana to warn you. 

BRAND silent and thoughtful. 

Hulks. — Now, this is too infer. bad. Just as I get safely 

settled ashore and my labors prospering, (drinks,) m.y own ungrate- 
ful, meddlesome country helps hunt me out. (Rising). I disown 
Britain from this moment. 

Br. — Very annoying ! I suppose we'll have to bear it philoso- 
phically. We all have our crosses to bear, Don. I will make 
immediate prepaiations to sail. 

EoD. — If I can assist you. Captain, command me. Any treas- 
ure, for instance, you want safely kept, subject to your order — 

Br. — I am deeply grateful, but I won't impose on your good 
nature, Don. No, I have but little in the way of gold or silver. 
These disagreeable tidings quite unhinge me. Father, escort Don 
Rodrigo to your study, and try and proselyte him to the faith 
while I attend to business consequent on the Don's information. 
We will meet in half an ^our. In discussing religious questions, 
gentlemen, be cool, for unless you are, experience has taught me, 
oral argument as a means is useless to arrive at truth. The de- 
bater is nearly always a mere partisan, seldom unprejudicedly ju- 
dicial. 

Don. — Never fear. Captain Brand, Mr. Hulks will yet be an 
ornament in the desk of our holy faith. 

Thaj retire. 
BRAND goes to door and calls, '^Babette! BahetleP' 

Enter BABETTE. 
Br. — Babette, have Harrington come here immediately. 
Babette. — Aye, aye, sir! (Going). 
Br. — Hold — Tell him to bring Spanish Jack, and leave him in 

the kitchen. 

Exit BABETTE. 

Br., (loq) — So, so! The English here, and I must leave. 
Curious — half my lifetime has been spent in running away from 
somebody. Well, I'll sail for my other snug harbor in Mexican 
Gulf; and my treasure — that upon which I expect to retire when 
my sailing days are over — not for that villianous Rodrigo. Oh, ho ! 
he's very kind — I'll bury it safe enough before I sleep. Damn 
them all ; I'll show them Centipede's heels yet ; and when they 
cast anchor here, 'twill be in a barren port ; every stick goes up 
as high as powder will blow it, and fire will do the rest. Oh, ho ! 
my countrymen ! I won't make your acquaintance again, having 
cut it. Now, about Rodrigo ; the thief can't be of farther use to 
me, but his sloop would for the inlets in the gulf. My disinter- 
ested Spanish friend, I'll give you immediate attention. Then, 
"2 



10 

there's the Doctor, I can't stand his persistence any longer. He 
can ruminate over the pleasures of an eternal engagement, to the 
disparagement of my service, if he can. He's too tender a plant 
for this world. And Mr. Gibbs will only be in the way ; I'll have 
to take time to dispose of him, precious as the moments are. 
Enter BABETTE. 

Babette. — Harrington, here, sir. 

Br. — Show him in, Babette. 

Enter HARRINGTON, bowing. 

Br. — Harrington, my boy ; I received information which makes 
our sailing immediately necessary; but, excuse me — a glass of 
wine. 

Harrington, {filling a glass). — Health to you, Captain Brand, 
and I'm sorry for the news. (Drinks). 

Br. — Be seated. We will sail in the morning, as the English 
are- in the Bahamas. By the way, as Gibbs is unfitted for service 
I'll induce him to resign, and you are first mate of the schooner. 

Har. — Thank you, sir ; I will try to deserve your confidence. 

Br. — Make preparation to have everything on board to-night, 
if you can, and what's left, burn. Where's Ptodrigo's sloop 
anchored ? 

Har. — Within pistol shot of the Centipede. 

Br. — I've purchased her, but as her crew might be dissatisfied, 
board her immediately. Her crew we have no use for. Do you 
understand ? 

Har. — I understand. 

Br. — Load the schooner heavy, take all ordnance and provisions. 
You had better get rid of part of the ballast. Now, my boy, be 
lively. Send some men here at ten o'clock to get my traps ; Ba- 
bette will have them ready. And I want Spanish Jack and another 
good man for work in the morning. I can explain to Jack about 
it, if you have him here. 

Har, — He is in the kitchen. 

Br. — Send him up. 

Har. — Aye, aye, sir. (Bowing). Exit. 

Br., (loq). — Curse the luck ! to have to blow up my house ; then 
this girl getting off". Why am I such a fool as to make marriage 
a condition of enjoyment ? It is a weakness I must conquer. 
Fortunately I have a hole the devil himself wouldn't find, for my 
coin ; some consolation in all this trouble. 
Enter SPANISH JACK, bowing. 

Jack. — Servant, Captain Brand, servant. 

Br. — Ho, ho ! my hearty. [Hands loine). 

Jack, {makes obeisance). — Your good health. Captain Brand. 

Br. — Jack, my hearty; I need a second mate, as Harrington 
has just been promoted, and you are the man to trust. 



11 

Jack. — Thanks, Captain, thanks ; I'll serve you well. You are 
too good. 

Br.— -Yes, my boy ; that's it. Just think, after all my kindness, 
of Kodrigo and the Doctor entering into a conspiracy to murder 
me ! 

Jack. — The bloody rascals ! 

Br. — Yes, Jack ; sad to contemplate the depravity of some 
natures, but we must thwart them. Jack, and (goes toioards foot- 
lights), here is how we'll do it. Bodrigo will be in this room in a 
few moments. You hide in the closet, and when I direct him to 
hold up his hands, you rush out, bind his hands well down to his 
sides, (you'll find rope in the cupboard); gag him, and when I give 
the signal take him out and put him headforemost in the water 
butt. Be a good joke. (Laughs). 

Jack. — Elegant. (Laughs). 

Br. — We'll talk about the Doctor's case afterwards. But here 
comes the Don. Quick, to the closet ! 

JACK etite7-s closet and closes the door. 

Hulks, {behind wings). — Oh, Don Kodrigo ! a man of your ex- 
cellent every day sense to believe such stuff! On my conscience, 
I can't see how you do it ! 

Enter RODRIGO and HULKS, arm in arm. 

Br. — Still at it, eh ? What speed have you made, good father? 

KoD. — Captain Brand, such a charming person should be united 
to the holy church ; that's the place for gentlemen of education 
and talent. I half believe he even now repents. 

Hulks, (horrified). — Hush, Don Rodrigo, such blasphemy! 
awful ! 

Br. smiling. 

EoD. — Well, well, Mr. Hulks ; let's drop the subject till next 
we meet, when worldly business is not so pressing. Well, Captain 
Brand, you sail early, I presume ? 

Br. — Yes ; I am not anxious to meet my English friends. I 
am afraid they have forgotten me, and the trouble of renewing the 
acquaintance is more to be considered than any pleasure I might 
derive from it. But, my dear Don, how can I repay your kind- 
ness in the prompt notification of my danger ? I can never for- 
get it, never. AVill you sail in the morning? 

Rod. — To-night, almost immediately, as a Spaniard, I don't want 
to -fall in with anything flying British colors, and must away. 

Br. — By the way, my dear Rodrigo, (taking him by both hands), 
I have thought over that matter of the small amount of coin and 
plate I have by frugality acquired, at the expense of so many 
hours hard labor. I will give it in your care, and should fortune 
prove adverse to me in the future and we not meet again, the half 



12 

of it is yours ; the other half send to my good Scotch mother 
whose address I will give you. Will you accept this trust? 

EoD., (quickly). — Thanks for this confidence, noble Captain ; it 
shall never be betrayed ; and if it should be the fate of war that 
you fall, (heaven prevent it !) I will observe the directions to the 
letter. My half, however, shall be devoted to charity. 

Hulks. — Not, Eodrigo, mind, to propagate the pernicious errors 
of the Romish church. 

EoD. — Just as good Captain Brand directs. His treasure, my 
own little property and my poor person are always at his disposal. 

Be,., {cooly and smiling). — That being the case, my dear Don, 
oblige me by throwing up your hands. (Covering Bon with his 
pistol). 

JACK springs from the closet, and begins pinioning RODRIGO, 
BRAND'S pistol still covering him. 

PiOD., (quaking). — For heaven's love. Captain Brand, what does 
this mean ? oh, what does it mean ? Not treachery from you whom 
I have so faithfully served.? 

Br. — Only a little surprise, Don. Don't be alarmed, if your 
conscience is easy. 

Rod., (piteously). — Oh, do not harm me ! You cannot, good 
Captain Brand ; an old man. It can do you no good. Come, have 
me released. (By this time firmly bound — Jack with gag in hand). 

Br. — Rodrigo, if the evidence had not been so overwhelming, I 
could not have believed ; conspiring with that rascal, the Doctor, 
to murder me, eh ? with your cock-and-bull story about the Eng- 
lish fleet. To-morrow you prove your innocence, or to-morrow 
night you — well, you won't dream. 

Rod. — I'll prove it. Give me the chance ; say no harm shall 
come to me to-night, and I can prove it; I, I, your friend. 

Br. — Well, I hope so ; I must confine you till to-morrow morn- 
ing,, and will confront you with your accuser. But I must say, 
oh, depraved human nature ! that the proof of your guilt is plain 
as heaven's sun. 

Rod, — By my holy church 

Hulks. — Here, Don, now please don't rub against my religious 
convictions iu that way. 

Br., (to Jack, who is applying gag). — Confine our friend as di- 
rected, Jack. Treat him well ; furnish him every comfort. We 
must be hospitable, my boy. 

Exit JACK and RODRIGO. 

Br., (goes to window and looks out, laughs). — Father, come here, 
quick ! (Htdks runs to ivindoio ; both laugh, Brand immoderately.) 
Now, is not that the most ludicrous sight? What a spectacle ! 
His old head under water and his heels kicking like a French frog 
in the air. (Roars with laughter). I almost forget my troubles. 



13 

Hulks. — You have a keen sense of the ludicrous, my son. To 
me the thought of his dying a Papist detracts from the pleasure 
of the affair. I must retire and offer a special prayer while he 
yet is alive. [Makes motion hurriedly to go). 

Br. — Hold, father ; this is a special case. You can pray more 
at leisure, as I have pressing need of your assistance in another 
matter. 

Hulks. — Sad, my son, to have to defer that duty. Let us hope 
he even now repents. What do you desire of me, ray son ? 

Br. — Why, we must reason with Mr. Gibbs. Do you and Ba- 
bette hoist him through the hatch, first binding him firmly to a chair 
and blindfolding him. When you do that, set the trigger on the 
trap, and then come up, father, yourself, and between us see if we 
cannot soften him. [Laughs). 
, Hulks, [smiling). — Ah, my son, another special case. 

Exit. 
BRAND whistles a tune— arranges the spring on floor— tries it with 
his foot — then springs the trap — arranges rope [green silk) to fall 
over trap— tries the noose— lays a pistol on table— arranges bottles 
and glasses. 

Br. — There, now; Gibbs' appetite will be tickled with the display. 
That trap is my own invention ; I'll patent it some day, and then 
execute infringers on it. 

Gibbs, ttc, heard wider trap. 

Br., [looking doion). — Be very careful of Mr. Gibbs, father ; 
[Gibbs groans); easy, gently, now. 

Gibbs.— Oh ! 0—! damn his liver ! oh ! a h ! Capen Brand, 

if I only had my fingers on your bloody throat ! 

Br. — My dear Gibbs, how can you ? how can you ? Gibbs, you 
reprobate, will nothing soften you ? 

Gibbs, [groaning). — Sofen hell and 

Br. — Now, Mr. Gibbs, you must cease that horrible profanity. 
Enter GIBBS, bound to chair, manacled, and groaning. 

Br.— Now, Mr. Gibbs, how do you feel ? Comfortable, I hope. 

Gibbs. — Comforable, damn ye! comforable ! Look ye here, 
Capen Brand, is this the way you treat an old friend ? Look at 
me — I'm burning up ! 
Enter HULKS. 

Hulks. — Gibbs, you will burn up if you are not more careful 
when you die. If you don't repent, you'll be tormented by the 
worm that never dies ; and then to think of it, reviling the Lord's 
saints on earth ! 

Gibbs. — You blasted old canter ! you a saint ? _ Hell's full 

Br., [stepping up and punching him in i^Aesoreni).— For shame I 

Gibbs, [hoiols).—Don\ kill me I Oh, damn ye, that's my broken 
rib! 



14 

Br. — There you go again, you obdurate wretch ! Now keep 
quiet, and stop swearing. You do it to wound me, you malicious 
dog. My Gibbs • 

GiBBS. — For God's sake, Capen, give me a little rum ! I'm 
pain all over. 

Hulks. — The toper's old, old story ; after all you've endured, 
too, from the terrible habit of rum drinking. 

Br. — Yes, and look at his filthy condition ; his clothing dis- 
arranged. How I dislike a slovenly man. Why don't you tie 
your neckkerchief ? 

Gibbs. — How the dev kin I, manacled like a dog? and 

what do I care ? 

Br. — Wait, I'll do it for you, (ties Gibhs handkerchief; in so 
doing slips noose over his head — rope resting outside his handker- 
chief and falling over chair back), now, that's better; you begin 
to look quite handsome; does he not, father? 

Hulks. — A perfect Adonis ! 

Br. — Now, Mr. Gibbs, I want to talk to you for your own good. 
If we can come to a pleasant understanding, I will release you and 
furnish more comfortable quarters, if you'll only promise to be- 
have yourself like a Christian ; but I am first going to give you a 
short lecture, then if you promise favorably 

Hulks. — And repent 

Br. — And repent, we'll have a social glass and be friends. But 
first, Mr. Gibbs, as I want your undivided attention, you will 
please look right into my eye, and at no other object. Failure to 
regard this request will be followed by disagreeable consequences. 
{Cocks pistol at Gibbs' ear — Gibbs starts). No danger if you pay 
attention. Now. (Motions to Hulks and seats himself—foot on 
trigger — pistol in hand — Hidks removes bandage). Now, Mr. 
Gibbs 

Gibbs, [gazing longingly at bottles). ^Oh., Capen Brand, just one 
swig of rum ! 

Hulks — Gracious heavens ! to what degradation the thirst for 
liquor plunges a man ! 

Br. — ^Now, Gibbs, if you open your mouth again till I give you 
permission, you do so on your own responsibility. (Tapping pistol), 
Gibbs, this last act of disobedience, your cowardice in running 
away from a figment of your imagination, is too much to bear and 
make any pretence at discipline. I have always favored you— 
love you even yet. 

Hulks. — As a brother. 

Br. — Aye, as my own brother, and how am I repaid ? P\,epeated 
acts of disobedience, running over two years. Look at you, in 
face of my orders to send all prisoners to heaven, coming ashore 
with a monkey of a boy, as though I desired to start an orphan 
asylum. 



15 

Hulks.— Well knowing our philanthropy does not take that 
direction. 

Br. — Now, what do you say ? 

GiBBS. — I say, if you shoot me here, I saw Miss Amelia in the 
new lady's room the night I broke my bone?. They stood to- 
gether, and she throwed up her arms and runned at me. 

Br. — And you run, you dog ! Nonsense — I saw her go over 
the cliff nearly tw^o years ago, and sink. Now, don't talk that 
stuff to me. Now, Gibbs, you savage, will you try and do better, 
if I forgive you? Come, let's be friends again. 

Gibbs. — Gimme a chance, Capen Brand, and I'd die for ye yet! 

Hulks. — Now, that's the proper spirit. 

Br. — Excuse me for overlooking it. Will you drink a glass of 
rum with us ? Father, fill Mr. Gibbs a glass. {Hulks does so, and 
as he hands it to Gibbs, Brayid rises foot on trigger). My Gibbs, 
here's a toast, "Forgiveness for the past, forgetfulness for the 
future." 

Gibbs. — Drink hearty. [Raising glass to his lips, ivhen Brand 
pressing his foot on trigger, trap) falls; glass drops from Gibbs' 
hands. Hulks drinks his rum). 

Hulks, {hurriedly). — I must retire and pray for his sinful soul. 

Exit. 

Captain Brand looking through hatchway, with hand on rope. 

Curtain. 



ACT III. 



Scene. — Cavern. VarioiiH stores piled about ; a rtide bed, stools, dx. ESTH- 
ER DALTON, pale and careworn. Common lamp lit. 

Esther. — Oh, I wish she would return ! Her trouble and hatred 
of Brand has rendered her desperate, and I am continually afraid 
some ill will overtake her. What a life she must have led ; buried 
here in this cave, and, ah ! I must be her companion till death ! 
No hope, no prospect of escape. This loneliness will drive me mad. 
Oh ! Harry, if you could but know my fate ! I wonder if he has yet 
given up hope as I have, and that the ship with his bride will ever 
arrive. Hark! what's that? {Listens). Only the waves beating 
against the cliff. And Amelia, her fate, and wonderful escape ! 
washed by the incoming tide into the crevice and left half drowned 
on the sand in the cavern leading to this one, and living buried 
here for months. Hark ! 
Enter AMELIA. 

EsTH. — Oh ! Amelia, dear, I was afraid something had happened 
you. 



16 

Am.— And so something has happened at which you will re- 
joice, and which, while I join in that rejoicing, is painful to me, as 
it will delay my vengeance on Brand. 

EsTH. — What has happened, Amelia? Tell me quickly. Any 
hope of escape ? 

j^M. — Yes. I have been using my ears to a good advantage. 
The English fleet are in the Bahamas, and the pirate sails to- 
morrow, to escape them. 

EsTH.— Oh,joy! joy! 

_/\_]VI. Brand will blow up the house in the morning, and has made 

arrano-ements to murder Calvert by leaving him strapped to a 
trestle on the cliff to die, before he sails ; and we must save him. 

EsTS. — How ? Oh, wretch ! 

Am. — By hiding behind the wall on the shore till they leave 
him, and then cut the cords that bind him. We will have to leave 
here to-night, and steal through the cellar. Now, be brave, dear 

girl. 

EsTH.— I will. The prospect, or even possibility of ultimate 
escape, would nerve me to do anything. Oh ! Amelia, are you not 
delighted? 

Am. — Only as to your prospects. The purpose for which I have 
lived seems more distant than before. If your own and the 
Doctor's safety were assured, James Brand would be cut to pieces 
in less than an hour ! 

EsTH. — Dismiss these thoughts, dear girl, and leave him to the 
vengeance of a Just God. 

Am. Not even the hope of eternal salvation would stay my 

hand against my mother's murderer. I don't ask you to share 
this feelino- — more of the tiger's than woman's — but he has made 
me so. Look, Esther, at my awful fate ! his trusting bride — duped 
to believe his story that he was in the Spanish service, and that 
we would rejoin mother and Pvobert in America in a few weeks — 
the kind insanity that blotted out reason and spared me torture 
when I saw his flag, and a knowledge of my mother's murder 
came over me. — My escape from death by being thrown through 
the crevice under the wave into the cavern leading to this. — My 
life for two years past a hell on earth, feeding like a rat from the 
stores in his cellar. Think of it ! No, you can never know how 
I loved and trusted him, even when a fugitive from justice; and 
you can never know how I hate him. 

EsTH. — Amelia, dearest, you make me shudder. Your wrongs 
c'an be righted by Heaven ; cease to brood over them. 
. Am. — Never ! It would be sweet ; nay, I can imagine no joy of 
heaven or earth half so sweet as to watch the light fade from his 
eye in slow and agonizing death. How I could then tell him of 
his infamy and cruelty, and make a every word a stab to his false, 
bad heart ! 



17 

EsTH. — Oh, Amelia, Amelia! talk about something else. Tell 
me how you heard this good news, and if any of the Centipede's 
crew saw the ghost. 

Am — I will not tell you all I heard, and his crimes to-night; it 
would only horrify you. I could hardly restrain myself. He will 
never know how near death he was to-night, till I tell him. He 
would have wished that he had explored the subteranean creek 
that runs through his cellar — the only entrance to this cave — and 
when he is in my power, as he will yet be, how delightful to tell 
him after all his searching for you ; how, as he expressed it, not a 
hole big enough to hide a rat not searched ; to tell him that the 
little creek was large enough to admit to his cellar an enemy worse 
to be dreaded than the English; and the spirit he dismissed 
so contemptously could have slain him almost any day. But 
enough of this ; we must make haste to get through the cellar 
while they sleep, and be at our post to save the Doctor's life. 

Curtain. 



ACT IV. 



Scene 1st. — Near the cliff— setlle— tropical trees— vieiv of ocean in the back- 
ground. 

Enter CAPTAIN BRAND and DR. CALVERT. 

Br. — How can I entertan your proposition for discharge at this 
time ? {They seat theynsclves on the settle). See how I am circum- 
stanced, I have to sail in an hour after destroying my buildings and 
stores, to escape the English. Now, do be reasonable. I could 
only promise, and do promise to put you ashore the first oppor- 
tunity that oflers ; what else can I do ? 

Dr. — Captain Brand, leave me here with some few provisions. 
I'll run the risk of being taken off by some vessel which will prob- 
ably touch here, at all events it is at my risk. 

Br. — Why, Doctor, that would be unkind in me, in fact, I 
could'nt sleep for thinking about you here alone, and maybe never 
to be taken off. Let me beg of you, also, for my poor crew's sake, 
to reconsider your determination. Eemain with me until I can 
engage another surgeon. Now, dear Doctor, will you not ? 

Dr. — Captain Brand, why talk to me in that manner ?— 
You know — as unfortunately do I — that I am completely 
in your power. I have only your honor — that pledge which 
ought to be sacred with sailors. You know, sir, I have never con- 
cealed the sentiment, how I despise and hate this service — how I 
loathe myself for being in it. You know that I have been daily 
compelled to witness and hear that which makes my l)lood boil for 



18 

very shame that I did not at least attempt to resent. I again ask 
you, will you keep your word ? Will you ? 

Br. — Doctor, you do me a grave injustice in every sentence you 
have uttered, and I pray that you may be forgiven for it. Have 
your wish and remain, and much as I regret the necessity of part- 
ing with you, I will release you. {Raises his arm — three men 
rush out, struggle with 'Calvert and overpoiver and bind him ; 
Brand smiling.) 

Dr., {hoarsely, as they j'^^ocecd to strap him to the settle). — This, 
this from a gentleman who pledges a sailor's honor ! What a fool 
I was to expect else ! , And now I change my request to brave 
Brand — generous in honor and the lives of helpless men, women 
and children ! Brave Brand ! Give me but a man's chance for 
life — put arms in my hands, you blood-hound ! and if I can plunge 
a sword through your black heart I'll submit to any torture ! 
What say you, devil ? 

Br., {coaly). — Passing over your very harsh language, Doctor, 
I am obliged to decline your very bloodthirsty proposition. These 
proceedings are merely precautionary. I was afraid you might 
want to follow me. You can now await some other vessel, and 
your position here will enable you to catch sight of any sail. 

Dr. — Aye, to die of thirst in the broiling sun, a feast for gnat 
and fly. But may death parch my throat if I ask mercy from a 
fiend ! Only leave me, devil, that your malignant eye may not 
feast on my death agony. 

Br. — Now, Doctor, don't be so unreasonable. You know, con- 
sidered merely as a matter of taste, that gentlemen dying under 
such circumstances would be a stupid and uninteresting spectacle. 
Doctor, if you will insist on dying, shall I send Father Hulks to 
you for a few moment's spiritual conversation ? I'm afraid, Doctor, 
you are unrepentant; dying men should be forgiving, not cherish- 
ing spite. 

Dr. — Noble Brand ! to taunt the helpless victim of his treachery ! 
Fiend! I wish I had the power to curse you ; that this dastardly 
deed might dog you for a long life ! . I can hope to be forgiven for 
all else, but never, no, I'll never ask mercy for my cowardice and 
indecision in shirking my duty to humanity and not killing you a 
year ago ! 

Br. — Now, Doctor, you are positively cruel. {Explosion heard) . 
Come, men, there goes the house, and we must aboard. Farewell, 
my charming Doctor ! and I hope that we shall meet in the great 
hereafter. Bemember, I'll have Father Hulks offer up a special 
prayer for you ; and remember {men go) I forgive you freely. 

Exit. 
Dr. — Gone! to leave me to a horrible, terrible death! Oh! it 
drives me mad to think of the agony I must endure ere it comes. 



19 

Come ! death, come ! {Struggles). No use! no use! Oh! God for- 
give me, and hasten my release. Lingering, hopeless agony ! 
{Again tugs at the hands.). Useless! useless! The bands are as 
cruel and unyielding as the hands that tied them. 

Curtain falls slowly. Enter AMELIA and ESTHER, who proceed 
to cut the ropes. 

Curtain. 



Scene 2d. — On islet, near ruins of Brand's house. 

Enter BRAND and HULKS, dilapidated condition— the latter look- 
ing especially dejected. 

Hulks. — Oh ! my dear son, this is truly terrhle ! But what a 
providential escape ! Truly, the Lord is good to us. To think 
that we 'are the only survivors of the wreck ! I never prayed so 
fervently to the Throne as I did in the water, for life. But, my 
son, I feel athirst. Do you think it likely that a cask of rum or 
so might have escaped destruction in the cellar ? 

Br., {who has been thoughtful). — Stop your chatter, you old 
brute. 

Hulks; {rolling his eges), — Father, forgive us ! 

Br. — Isn't it enough to be without ship or shelter, without be- 
ing aggravated by your cursed cry for rum? Humph! I hope 
the Englishman didn't ride out the hurricane. It would be some 
consolation to know he was at the bottom of the sea — damn him ! 
If he did, they'll be here as sure as fate, and we must seek a hole 
to hide in. {Futs his hand over his eyes). It's so cursed foggy 
I can't make out anything. You can't, I know, unless it's drink. 
You could make out a case bottle of rum ten miles out. 

Hulks. — Don't be harsh with your chastened friend, my son. 
We must bow to the decree of Providence. I do hope every 
mother's son of that da ^English crew have gone to the bot- 
tom. I would feel much better. 

Br. — I could have rode the gale if they hadn't drove me on the 
reef and carried away the rudder. Curse them ! {Grinds his 
teeth). 

Hulks. — Woe is me! Do, dear son, let us make some pro- 
vision to keep us from starvation, and then seek shelter in some 
cavern. 

Br. — You won't be satisfied till you are drunk again ; so we 
might as well make a search. There was plenty of everything 
in the cellar, and it's probable that all was not destroyed. Come. 

Exit. 
Enter AMELIA, DR. CALVERT and ESTHER. 

Doctor. — Yes, a boat has just landed, but it is so very foggy 



20 

I can't just make it out. It can hardly be the Pirate's boat, as 
it's not probable Brand would return, unless crippled by the 
storm. 

Esther. — After all we have endured, I hope it is not that mon- 
ster again. 

Amelia, {looking under her liand). — No, it is not Brand's 
boat. — Let us go and meet them. 

De. — Are you sure, Amelia ? 

Am. — They are strangers ; I can tell by their action. Perhaps, 
though, we had better wait a few minutes; (pauses). God be 
praised, they are English. 

De. {halloos). 

EsTH. — Oh ! Father in Heaven — God of the innocent and the 
true — I thank Thee ! What happiness to be at last free ! free ! 
We'll all see our friends again ! 

Am. — Never me, until James Brand's death is assured. If he 
escaped shipwreck or capture in that awful storm, he can not es- 
cape a wronged woman's vengeance. 

EsTH. AND Dr. — Here they are ! 
Enter HARRY GASKET aiid men. 

Gasket. — Friends or foes ? 

Dr., (advanGing). — Friends of anything in man's shape, except 

the Pirate. We are the victims of the Pirate. These ladies 

ESTHER buries her face on AMELIA'S shoulder. 

Gask. — Great Heavens, Esther ! (takes her by the hand). Dar- 
ling, how came you here — the Pirate's prisoner, and how long ? 
ESTHER attempts to speak, hut does not, — sobs. 

Am. — Yes, a prisoner for some weeks, but 07ily a prisoner, for- 
tunately through me escaping even a worse fate. If you are the 
lover she has so often spoken of, present in her waking thoughts 
and in her innocent dreams, thank your God that she is thus cast in 
your way, as pure, as good as when you met her last. She has 
been in fearful peril, and but one of many who escaped. 

Gask.- -Esther, dearest ! can you, will you speak ? 

EsTH. — Again, — I am too overjoyed to speak. 

Gask., (taking her in his arms). I will never claim my bride 
till that fiend's death. 

Dr. — I He dies at my hand. 

Am. — [ If alive he must suffer at the hand of his luife. 

Gask. — I hardly think it possible that he could have escaped. 
His vessel went to pieces to the north in the storm. If any of 
his crew escaped, it would be to this islet, and part of my men are 
even now searching. We made a very narrow escape with the 
Caltrop. 

Am. — Eemember, I want your promise that if Brand is alive 



21 

and falls into your hands, that he is mine. He married mo to 
himself and a life of misery. In the holy name of justice, he 
is mine. By your gratitude for the salvation of your intended 
wife, mine! Great God ! I never thought in my hate to hope he 
would escape death in any violent form. 

Gask. — It's not worth while. Miss, to dispute or claim in the 
matter, as he has undoubtedly perished. But here come my men 
and they have two prisoners. 

Enivr Sailors, with BRAND and HULKS bound. 

Hulks, (to Sailor, ivith his hand on his shoulder) Sinner, 
touch not the Lord's anointed. 

Sailor. — The Devil's anointed — no jabber ! 

BRAND and HULKS catch sight of AMELIA and attempt to shrink 
back. 

Brand. — f Amelia ! 

Hulks. — | The ghost, the ghost I 

Calvert. — Lieutenant, this is the noble Captain Brand of the 
schooner Centipede, and this is the saintly Jonah Hulks. 

Br. (smiles). — Quite a master of ceremonies, Doctor. From the 
position you occupied when I saw you last I hardly expected to 
ever see you officiate in that capacity. You made some general 
remarks, on that occasion, if I recollect, about helpless men, and 
swords. You still entertain the opinion, I hope, you then expressed. 

Dr. — Yes, I do, you bloodhound. Lieutenant Gaskett, I beg, 
I implore as a favor, — you have heard the taunt. Release and arm 
that man, will you ? 

Cask. — Captain Brand, you know what fate is in store for you, 
and this gentleman shall not risk his life with a desperado, who 
now in my hands, has none to risk in return. 

Br. — Y^our pleasure, Lieutenant, but might I suggest a trial 
before condemnation ? 

Hulks. — Yes, Mr. Officer, I want my constitutioual right as an 
Englishman — a trial by a jury of my peers. 

Gask. — As a law-abiding citizen, Mr. Hulks. 

Hulks. — That's it, exactly; I am only chaplain, and guiltless of 
any crime. 

Dr. — You miserable blasphemer and murderer ! 

Am. — Officer, do as you please with that drunken, impious vag- 
abond ; but Brand is mine. His blood be on my head ! 

Br. — My dear Amelia, next to the surprise at seeing you in the 
flesh, I am startled at hearing such sentiments from you. Dear 
girl, beyond love's stratagem I have never harmed you. 

Am. — Hush, devil, do not profane the holy name of love by tak- 
ing it on your lips. Speak, English officers! by all my wrongs so 
accumulated as to have changed me from a woman to a tigress ! 



22 

by my mother's murder, still unavenged, as you hope for happi- 
ness, will you add to those wrongs? Say he is mine. Let me 
bind him, even as he bound this man, (pointing to Dr. C.) Let 
me watch him whilst the merciless sun beats down on his face, a 
face as cruel and merciless. Speak — is he not mine ? 

Gask. — My wishes as a man must give way to my duty as an 
officer. The law will vindicate you. 

Am. — Can any law, any punishment the law inflicts vindicate 
me ? This devil in man's guise was my trusted lover — I his dupe. 
When a fugitive from justice, I believed him innocent. Flying 
the Spanish flag, he overhauled and boarded a vessel on which my- 
self and mother were passengers, on which were helpless women 
and prattling children. He duped me then to go with him 
to his vessel, promising to join my mother and brother in Amer- 
ica, and then by medium of this wretch by his side, married me — 
and, great and just God! on my wedding night murdered the 
passengers and sunk the ship from which he had taken me. Is it 
not mockery to talk about laws and justice to him ? Let me take 
the place of the law. Speak, — is he mine? 

Gask. — As an officer, I cannot grant the demand. 

Am. — Mine ! mine ! If every man in England's service stood 
here ! (Rushes at Brand and stabs him twice. The Dr. and 
Gasket seize her, and Brand /a?/*). 

Curtain. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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